Disseminating evidence-based practices in substance abuse treatment: a review with suggestions

A Rasch model analysis of evidence-based treatment practices used in the criminal justice system

This study used item response theory (IRT) to examine the extent to which criminal justice facilities and community-based agencies are using evidence-based substance abuse treatment practices (EBPs), which EBPs are most commonly used, and how EBPs cluster together. The study used data collected from wardens, justice administrators, and treatment directors as part of the National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices survey (NCJTP; Taxman et al., 2007a), and includes both adult criminal and juvenile justice samples. Results of Rasch modeling demonstrated that a reliable measure can be formed reflecting the extent to which juvenile and adult correctional facilities, and community treatment agencies serving offenders, have adopted various treatment practices supported by research. We also demonstrated the concurrent validity of the measure by showing that features of the facilities' organizational contexts were associated with the extent to which facilities were using EBPs, and which EBPs they were using. Researchers, clinicians, and program administrators may find these results interesting not only because they show the program factors most strongly related to EBP use, but the results also suggest that certain treatment practices cluster together, which may help stakeholders plan and prioritize the adoption of new EBPs in their facilities. The study has implications for future research focused on understanding the adoption and implementation of EBPs in correctional environments.

Helping Clients Feel Welcome: Principles of Adapting Treatment Cross-Culturally

Empirically supported interventions (ESIs) for treating substance problems have seldom been made available to or tested with minority populations. Dissemination of ESIs may help reduce the disproportionate health disparities that exist. However, ESIs may require some adaptation to be effective with minority populations. One ESI, motivational interviewing (MI), appears to be particularly culturally congruent for Native American communities. We worked with Native American community members and treatment providers to adapt MI for Native communities. Reflecting their feedback and suggested amendments, we created and disseminated an intervention manual to improve the accessibility of MI within Native communities. To help guide practitioners working with Native American clients, we used focus-group methodology to explore communication patterns for negotiating change. Native American treatment providers expressed comfort with and enthusiasm for integrating MI into their current practices. Recommendations for adaptations ranged from simple to complex changes. The unique value and challenges of collaboration between academic and community members are presented from each author's perspective. This culturally adapted MI manual will likely improve the accessibility and adoption of MI practices as well as encourage controlled, clinical trials with Native communities.

Managing addiction as a chronic condition

This article reviews progress in adapting addiction treatment to respond more fully to the chronic nature of most patients' problems. After reviewing evidence that the natural history of addiction involves recurrent cycles of relapse and recovery, we discuss emerging approaches to recovery management, including techniques for improving the continuity of care, monitoring during periods of abstinence, and early reintervention; recent developments in the field related to self-management, mutual aid, and other recovery supports; and system-level interventions. We also address the importance of adjusting treatment funding and organizational structures to better meet the needs of individuals with a chronic disease.

A Randomized Trial Investigating Training in Motivational Interviewing for Behavioral Health Providers

Evidence indicates that workshop training, personalized feedback, and individual consultation can increase competence in motivational interviewing (MI) among highly motivated and skilled substance abuse counselors. Little is known, however, about the translational value of these training strategies for counselors with fewer counseling skills and less stated motivation to learn MI. This study presents evidence from a randomized, controlled trial of 129 behavioral health providers assigned to receive workshop training and enrichments to learn MI. A diverse group of Air Force behavioral health providers working in substance abuse treatment programs were trained in MI and subsequently observed in clinical sessions at 4, 8 and 12 months after training. Results indicate that training was effective in increasing the skill level of these clinicians; however, these gains had decreased by the 4-month follow-up point. Training enrichments in the form of personalized feedback and consultation phone calls did not have an expected, additive effect on clinician skill level. The results of this study lend support to the hypothesis that a greater investment of resources and incentives may be necessary to achieve gains in MI skills for counselors with relatively lower baseline skills than those commonly participating in research studies.

Clinical supervision in the alcohol and other drugs field: an imperative or an option?

There is a growing interest in Clinical Supervision (CS) as a central workforce development (WFD) strategy. This paper provides a definition of and rationale for CS, characterises its various forms, identifies selection and training issues, and advises on policy and implementation issues central to redressing shortcomings in supervision practice within the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) field. Relevant selective literature is reviewed. Key conceptual issues were identified, and strategies developed to address implementation barriers and facilitate relevant policy. There is a common conceptual confusion between administrative supervision and CS. Clarification of the role, function and implementation of CS is required. Priority issues for the AOD field include: enhancing belief in CS; ensuring adequate resource allocation; developing evaluation protocols; and addressing specific arrangements under which supervision should occur. CS has been underutilised to date but holds considerable potential as a WFD strategy. It is fundamental to workers' professional development, can contribute to worker satisfaction and retention, and may improve client outcomes. Critical next steps are to establish the generalisability to the AOD field of the benefits observed from CS in other disciplines, and evaluate longer-term gains of CS programs.

Training substance abuse treatment organizations to adopt evidence-based practices: the Addiction Technology Transfer Center of New England Science to Service Laboratory

Underutilization of evidence-based treatments for substance abuse represents a longstanding problem for the field and the public health of our nation. Those who would most benefit from research advances (community treatment agencies and the clients they serve) have historically been the least likely to be exposed to innovative evidence-based methods for substance abuse treatment. To help address this gap, the Addiction Technology Transfer Center of New England (ATTC-NE), located at Brown University, has adapted and implemented an organizational change strategy intended to equip substance abuse treatment organizations and their employees with the skills needed to adopt evidence-based treatment practices. Since 2003, the ATTC-NE has worked with 54 community-based substance abuse treatment agencies from across New England using this model, which is called Science to Service Laboratory (SSL). Twenty-eight of 54 agencies completed all of the SSL components, and 26 of these 28 completer agencies (96%) successfully adopted and implemented contingency management as a result. Survey data comparing completer and dropout agencies' satisfaction with the quality, organization, and utility of the SSL indicate that both groups rated the SSL favorably. However, differences emerged with respect to organizational characteristics between completer and dropout agencies. Specifically, dropout agencies were more likely to report turnover in staff positions vital to training effort. Future directions for the model are discussed.

Moving innovations into treatment: A stage-based approach to program change

Treatment programs are expected to change their clients. To adopt evidence-based practices to improve their therapeutic effectiveness in dealing with drug-related problems of clients, they also are expected to change themselves. The process of innovation adoption and implementation is the focus of studies included in this special journal issue. Collectively, this volume examines staff perceptions of program needs, organizational readiness for change (based on pressures, resources, staff attributes, and organizational climate), quality of workshop training, subsequent utilization of training materials, and client self-report of treatment engagement. Approximately 800 treatment programs nationwide contributed data for these studies. A standardized assessment of organizational functioning captured attributes that describe environments, settings, and staffs, and the findings are interpreted in the context of a stage-based approach to program changes. A conceptual model is used to help organize and summarize longitudinal results within the organizational context and according to implementation influences related to qualities of the innovations.

Training and fidelity monitoring of behavioral interventions in multi-site addictions research

AIMS

Methods for the training and fidelity monitoring of behavioral interventions in multi-site addictions research are reviewed, including five published studies and seven ongoing studies sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Clinical Trials Network.

METHODS

Methods are categorized and reviewed consistent with a technology model of treatment delivery. Topics include: therapist selection, training, certification, and supervision; selection, training, and certification of supervisors; scales and processes used for monitoring of the quality of treatment; and processes followed to provide new training for replacement staff once trials have begun.

RESULTS

The review reveals both a wide array of procedures and emerging standards for multi-site trials. Methodological weakness was observed with respect to limited empirical support for many adherence scales, little or no evaluation of supervisory processes, and no evaluation of re-training practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Methods used in multi-site trials are important not only to ensure validity of those trials, but also to inform the wider dissemination of empirically based treatment into community agencies. Studies examining noted weaknesses are needed. Training and fidelity models that delegate responsibility to participating sites appear most relevant for establishing best practices for dissemination of behavioral interventions. The effectiveness of these distributed training and supervision models should be subjected to empirical study at a level of rigor comparable to the evaluation of their corresponding treatments.